Julie Andrews Gives Thumbs Up to Carrie Underwood SOUND OF MUSIC Casting

Speaking at the 10th anniversary celebration of the Walt Disney concert hall in Los Angeles this week, legendary star of stage and screen Julie Andrews spoke about NBC's upcoming live broadcast of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Andrews, who portrayed Maria von Trapp in Robert Wise's 1965 film opposite Christopher Plummer, gave a thumbs up to the casting of country singer Carrie Underwood in the lead role.

"I think she's great," affirmed Andrews who was nominated for an Oscar and a Bafta for her performance as the iconic governess. "It's going to be the original show, I believe, and I think after 40 or 50 years it's probably time somebody else had a crack at it."

The Sound of Music" will be presented as a live three-hour broadcast and will air on December 5 on NBC. Five-time Grammy winner Carrie Underwood will star in the coveted role of Maria Von Trapp. Acclaimed British actor Stephen Moyer, best known to U.S. audiences for his role as Bill Compton in HBO's "True Blood, will portray decorated World War I hero Capt. Georg Von Trapp.

From Universal Television, "The Sound of Music" is executive produced by Neil Meron and Craig Zadan. Beth McCarthy-Miller and Rob Ashford will serve as directors. The live holiday production will be based on the original 1959 Broadway production of "The Sound of Music," which starred Mary Martin and Theodore Bikel. The play won the Tony Award as best musical and Martin won as best actress.